In the UCL play-off round, Real Madrid has drawn Benfica, and only the winner will advance to the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Real Madrid's last and only time failing to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16 was in the 1962-63 season. At that time, it was the era of the European Cup, and Real Madrid drew Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht in the preliminary round. Real Madrid drew 3-3 with the opponent in the first leg and was defeated 0-1 away in the second leg, which was also Real Madrid's only time failing to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16.
This season is Real Madrid's 56th participation in the Champions League. In the previous 54 times, they advanced to the Round of 16 stage, never being eliminated in the Champions League group stage. During the European Cup era, they only failed to progress once before the Round of 16. In the Champions League play-off last season, Real Madrid also successfully eliminated Manchester City.
Real Madrid's Champions League historical record
Failed to reach the round of 16: 1 time
Eliminated in the Round of 16: 14 times
Stopped in the quarter-finals: 7 times
Stopped in the semi-finals: 15 times
Runner-up: 3 times
Championships: 15 times
/MADRIDISTA
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The greatest club for a reason. The fact we’re going through some tough doesn’t mean anything. I believe we’ll fix the team this coming summer and we’ll be back again HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS 🤍